Three Ways to Preserve a Healthy Mouth When You’re Sick

Posted August 19, 2017.

The absolute best thing you can do when you are ill is to care for your health. That includes your oral health. Here are some ways to preserve a healthy mouth when you are sick:

-Maintain Your Oral Hygiene Routine: You may not feel like it beforehand, but brushing your teeth and flossing is not only good for your mouth when you are sick, but it might even help you feel better afterward.

-Rinse Your Mouth After Vomiting: If your illness includes vomiting, use diluted mouthwash or a glass of water and 1 tbs baking soda with water to rinse your mouth afterward. If you brush your teeth right away, you’ll really just be spreading acid around your mouth. This can damage your tooth enamel. You only have to wait 30 minutes and then you can brush your teeth.

-Drink Plenty of Fluids: It may be cliché, but it’s good advice for a healthy mouth as well as a healthy body. You see, illness and medications can dry out your mouth. Dry mouth means greater exposure to tooth decay. That being said, make sure to choose the right kind of fluids such as drinks without sugar. Sports drinks with electrolytes can be valuable, but try the sugar free version. Try herbal tea with a drop of honey, and drink plenty of water. You can suck on sugarless cough drops to keep your saliva flowing as well.

Have questions? Feel free to give Bowcutt Dental in Cedar Park, Texas a call at 512-792-2707.When you’re feeling better, come and see Dr. Kevin Bowcutt for a checkup. Get well soon!